How Sophie Wessex's proposal from Prince Edward echoed Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson's

Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward got engaged back in 1999, but the proposal has one major similarity to that of Sarah Ferguson and the late Princess Diana's.

• Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, proposed to Sophie in January 1999.
• The couple tied the knot that same year at St George's Chapel.
• This follows royal news that fans missed out on a major milestone of Prince Louis'.

Following their engagement, a statement was released by Buckingham Palace which made clear where the couple hoped to tie the knot.

The statement read: "The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are delighted to announce the engagement of their youngest son, Prince Edward, to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones.

"The couple sought the permission of their respective parents between Christmas and the New Year. Both families are thrilled at the news.

"Prince Edward and Miss Rhys-Jones hope that it might be possible to use St George's Chapel, Windsor in the late spring or summer."

The ring Edward used to propose to Sophie was presented to the public, the sparkler featured three diamonds, and the center diamond is flanked by two heart-shaped stones.

The ring was purchased by Garrard, a jeweller beloved by the Royal Family for centuries.

And The Countess of Wessex's proposal echoed two other royal ladies - Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer announced their engagement in 1981.

Diana's sapphire engagement ring, which now belongs to Kate Middleton, features a 12-carat oval sapphire surrounded by smaller diamonds and was also purchased from Garrard.

And Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, who is also known as Fergie, announced their engagement a few years after Charles and Diana, in 1986.

Sarah's engagement ring featured a ruby at its centre, surrounded by 10 diamonds to form a flower pattern.

Like Diana and Sophie, Sarah's engagement ring was also purchased from Garrard.

The Royal Family has a long association with Garrard, with the company serving as the crown jewellers for more than 160 years.

Although Garrard is no longer the crown jeweller, it still holds a royal warrant from Prince Charles.